Avery Globe: A thank-you note to Xcel

While the snow is piling up, and we celebrate a great opening of the ski season, let's not forget the extremely low river flow and extensive wildfires of this past summer. Unfortunately, the rising temperatures and smoke-filled skies are becoming more and more common each year.

Our climate is changing. Steamboat is cherished by so many, due to its deep roots within the outdoors. We choose to live in this town of ours, so we can utilize the daily outdoor luxuries of skiing, biking, hiking, fishing and other outdoor pursuits.

In order to preserve the natural wonders of this beautiful valley, we ought to work together to fight the root causes of our dry, fire-filled summers. An important and necessary step toward combatting this issue is to lower carbon emissions. Xcel, the largest energy provider in the state, is doing exactly that.

Xcel recently announced its goal to reach 80 percent renewable energy by 2030 and to reach 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. This is a promising step in the right direction.

This matters due to the fact that Xcel is the main supplier of energy to Steamboat Springs. The public is showing continued support for this transition. By moving toward renewable energy and carbon reduction, costs will sink, therefore encouraging more businesses to make the shift toward using or supporting renewable energy. Colorado has always fostered an independent spirit, and it is time for our state to lead the way in reducing carbon emissions to fight climate change.

By rolling back important federal policies that keep our air clean and protect our public health, it is obvious that our current federal administration has no intention of taking climate change seriously, even though many scientists around the nation have identified this as a critical matter of concern.

Recommended Stories For You

Due to this, I applaud our state and companies like Xcel for stepping up and taking action to help clean up our air. I hope to see other companies in Colorado follow suit.

If you care about this amazing place, then you should also care about supporting companies, such as Xcel, which are working to better our environment, and therefore better our futures.